Jidoka

Jidoka, means, in the production context, not allowing defective
parts to go from one work station to the next. It specifically refers to
machines or the production line itself being able to stop automatically in
abnormal conditions (for example, when a machine breaks down or when
defective parts are produced). This Autonomation (as it is also
called) allows machines to run autonomously,
as they will stop when a problem occurs. Ultimately, it is about
transferring human (or better) intelligence to machines.

Jidoka is also used when individual people encounter a problem at their
work station. They are responsible for correcting the problem - if they
cannot, they should stop the line rather than let the defective part do.

The principle was first used by Sakichi Toyoda at the beginning of the
20th century when he invented a loom which stopped when the thread
broke.